Same-sex marriage push: Tony Abbott says parliament has to focus on budget

Large crowds gathered at Sydney’s Taylor Square in support of marriage equality on Sunday. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Tony Abbott says he understands legalising same-sex marriage is important, but this coming parliamentary week should be about implementing the budget.

The Labor leader Bill Shorten will on Monday introduce a private member’s bill legalising same-sex unions and recognising marriages conducted overseas.

But on Sunday Abbott said the government’s “absolute focus right now” was not same-sex marriage, but getting key budget measures through the parliament.

The prime minister’s sister, Christine Forster, has called for bipartisanship to advance the cause of legalising same sex marriage. She’s called for a conscience vote for Coalition MPs, and also warned Labor against turning the issue into a “political football.”

Supporters of marriage equality, including Forster, who is engaged to her female partner, rallied in Sydney on Sunday alongside Labor’s deputy leader Tanya Plibersek and Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young.

Labor politician Tanya Plibersek flanked by other prominent identities including Dr Kerryn Phelps, make a heart sign signalling marriage equality. Photograph: Don Arnold/Getty Images

Separately on Sunday, Shorten said he wanted to proceed on a bipartisan basis. “We look forward to bipartisanship and a free vote from the Liberal party.”

Several Labor MPs have already offered to co-sponsor a cross-party bill for same-sex marriage, a prospect that Coalition supporters have said provides the greatest hope for such a law to pass the Australian parliament.

Liberal MP Warren Entsch has said he’s confident that a co-sponsored bill by Coalition, Labor, Greens and independents can emerge by August.

Plibersek told the rally in Sydney she wanted to see same sex marriage legalised before Christmas, and she was happy to drop off as seconder of the Shorten bill if a Liberal would step up to take her place.

“This is the last piece of unfinished business to full equality for gay men and lesbians in this country. It has to happen now,” Plibersek said Sunday.

“Like one of our greatest Labor prime ministers said, men and women of Australia, it’s time.”

Protesters call on the Abbott government to allow a free vote on marriage equality. Photograph: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

Plibersek said she’d like to see a Liberal MP stand up on Monday to second the Shorten bill. “Because a bipartisan bill will have a much better chance of passing through our federal parliament. We know that there are many Liberals and Nationals who support marriage equality, and I’d love to give them the opportunity of showing that tomorrow.”

“If we have a Liberal and national co-sponsor of the bill tomorrow and if there is a free vote granted to people in the Coalition party room, this can be law before the end of the year.”